"If happiness had a form, what would it look like? It might be something like glass, because one doesn't notice it normally. However, it is actually there. As proof, if you look at it from a different angle, the glass will reflect light. It will state it's presence and existence more eloquently than any other thing in this world."

– Lelouch Lamperouge

Ten years.

On the eve of his tenth year in the human realm with a human body, he'd be able to harness the power he'd been gathering and return to his demonic form. He'd be free. Free to become Yoko Kurama once more. Free from the irritating weakness of his human body.

Free from his human family.

"Mou, Shu-chan? Is something wrong dear?" As the rain pattered relentlessly outside, he could see her reflection clearly on the windows surface. Her hand was on her cheek and her eyes were creased with worry. "Are you sad that it's raining on your birthday? If you wanted to do something we can always go out tomorrow…"

"Shuichi-nii wanted to go somewhere? Where?" Tsuna peeked around the corner his eyes bright with hope.

He sighed softly. "No, I didn't. It's fine mother."

Despite his reassurances, she still lingered for a few moments before corralling Tsuna into the kitchen with her to finish up the birthday dinner. She was going all out, like usual, despite his insistence that he didn't much care about birthdays celebrations.

Last year, when he complained, she'd just smiled softly and told him that it was important to her. He stopped complaining after that and didn't bother this year.

It didn't matter much anyway. This would be the last time he'd have to endure this annoying human custom.

(The last time he'd see her gentle smile.)

He scowled and turned his gaze to the window once more. It had been raining steadily since this morning. Light flashed and thunder rumbles softly. There was a thump from the kitchen. He knew without having to get up and investigate that Tsuna had probably flinched and dropped something. Storms always did make him a bit twitchy.

The boy was even more on edge than usual the last couple of days. He clung to Kurama's side, his eyes wide and searching. Their mother only barely managed to drag him away today under the pretense of helping her prepare food and cake.

(She must have noticed how frazzle it was making Kurama.)

The boy's perceptiveness worried him sometimes. Made him think that Tsuna was catching onto his secrets. He knew practically that it was just that odd insightfulness that that might be connected with those orange flames and the boy didn't actually know the truth. It wasn't possible. Kurama made sure to guard his true identity jealously. He kept demonic matters and his home life separate. Any demon who found out, no matter how weak was destroyed. While Tsuna was perceptive, he could only vaguely sense the supernatural.

(With a little push...perhaps…)

He shook his head. It didn't matter because he was leaving.

Tonight.

(And neither of them knew. They didn't know a thing. They would never know. They would just find his human body the next morning, cold and lifeless without his soul. The doctors would probably find some medical explanation or maybe not. But, it wouldn't matter because he'd be long gone. He wouldn't see them mourn...)

Thunder rumbled again, making the lights flicker.

He suffered his way through dinner. It was all of his favorites, but he could eat very little of it. There was a tightness in his chest that made it difficult to swallow the food. Instead of eating he watched his mother and brother chatter happily, reminiscing on previous birthdays.

(Tsuna's last birthday resulted in a spectacular mess when he accidentally lit his hair on fire while trying to blow out his candles. He had a small burn mark on his forehead for several days aftward.)

He laughed at the right times and added to the conversation when it tapered off. He forced himself to eat the cake and to smile as his mother brought out a small pile presents. He opened them slowly, carefully looking over each item before setting it aside to open the next one.

"I picked it out myself," Tsuna said proudly as Kurama looked over the crystal nine-tailed fox figurine. It was small but very smooth. The tips of the tail and top of the head were touched with reds and orange, but the rest of the body was clear.

His mother laughed. "Yes, he refused to leave the store without it. Said it reminded him of you and you had to have it."

Kurama smiled. "Thank you, Tsuna…"

"And look, look." The boy snatched the gift from his hand and held it up to light.

Fractured specks light danced across the table in a mesmerizing fashion.

(It was beautiful…)

Then the lights when out.

Kurama's hand automatically darted out to catch the gift when Tsuna shouted and dropped it in his fright. It only took a moment for their mother to light some candles and begin comforting the frightened Tsuna. She held him in her arms and murmured soothing reassurances into his hair. Kurama watched for a time in the flicking candlelight before he slowly stood.

"I'm going to bed mother." He paused. "Thank you…"

(For willing putting yourself in danger for me. For loving me so unquestioningly.)

She held out an arm for a hug.

(He used to scorn her touch.)

He set the fox figurine down on the table and stepped closer, allowing himself to be drawn into her gentle embrace.

Kurama swallowed.

(He could be free. No more pretending to be a weak human. He could go back to his old life.)

He felt a tug on his sleeve.

Brown eyes, tinted orange by the candlelight seemed to stare into his soul.

"Don't leave."

"Ah…" He hesitated and glanced toward the darkened hallway. He had everything set up in his room for his departure from his human body. He needed to leave tonight. If he missed this opening, then he'd be stuck in this body for who knew how long. Probably the rest of his mortal life.

His mother shifted and held him closer.

"I love you, Shuichi." She murmured into his hair and she ran her hand down his back.

Thunder boomed outside making Tsuna flinch and bury his head in Kurama's shoulder with a small whimper.

His hand automatically went up to sooth the boy.

"Well, perhaps I can stay a little while longer."

I am currently working on chapter 3 of the full story. This scene was going to be included but I ended up cutting it. I know its been forever since I updated that, but I recently watched the new ova and was inspired again. It'll be a fairly long chapter that covers Hiei and Kurama's meeting along with the Yatsude incident. Though I'm definitely changing things up to fit this crossover better. (There's actually a hint in this chapter about what's going to go down. Also Hibari...just throwing that out there.)

(Btw is anyone else hoping they'd update/reboot the yyh series with that new animation? It's a total long shot, but damn I wish they'd do that. Can you imagine the fight scenes? And the facial expressions in the ova were killing me. It was too short. I need more. )

Anyway, thank you so much for your reviews! They're always lovely to read!